Wednesday, April 25, 2012

In Just A Week

So, sometimes I get a little backed up...with life.  I stand at the refrigerator and the calender catches my eye...only 423 times a day.  I stay home all day people.  Yes, really that much.  And sometimes I get knots in my stomach when I just see what the calendar says I have to accomplish in a particular week.  Note**laundry, cleaning, cooking, etc...is not on the calendar and they all still have to get done.  Last week was one of those weeks...

Keep in mind that I stepped into my house Sunday night about 9pm from traveling alllllll day.  

Monday morning came bright and early and first things first, I had to hunt down a pink shirt so Addison would be ready for her program on Tuesday night.  Now, you would think that I would own one of these since I have had a size 4T girl before.  Nope.  And remember that I live in a smaller town then most and we are all fightin' for the 10 size 4Ts they have.  Have you been there?  Happens around here all the time.  So, I was a little worried......for no reason it turns out.  Target saved the day!  

Got it all pressed up and ready and Tuesday night those sweet faces were turned into flowers!


There was singing...


And more sweetness...


Wenesday morning came earrrrrly but we were ready!  Hump day!  Half way!  Yahoo!

The AWANA program at our church was having their grand finale program.  This was the culmination of a lot of hard work from Nate, who taught fifth grade boys for a year and Olivia who recited her first year's worth of Sparks versus.  We had to get there a little early, so I got this picture...


Is that not precious?  These are the sweet babies we taught in Sunday school last year and I love them!  I miss them!  I want them to stop growing up.  It makes me feel old.

Then the show began.  The show is where all the little cuties, starting at three (Addison not included because her birthday doesn't fall right), state a verse or truth and sing....sing...sing...


Our sweeties got to sing "Making Melodies"...well, if you know the song then you will love this...this is Cowboy...not acting like Cowboy at.all.uh.huh.no.way...couldn't believe my eyes.


Then I check on my other babies...apparently there was a snapping class going on in the aisle.


Allye, who was just checking out Cowgirl...


was now peacefully sleeping with MeMaw (little Cowboy's grandmother).  She loves a baby.  She can love mine anytime. 


As it is all coming to an end I catch this.  Yep, pretty much sums up their personalities.  

As night fell I was steadily sewing to finish up the project I had to have ready for Olivia the next day.  She was having her Kindergarten program and they were putting on a performance based on the The Three Billy Goats. When I volunteered to be a parent that would make a costume I had no idea what I was signing up for.  Then Olivia tells me there are butterflies, a bee, goats, etc...  I think it is somewhat random....NO....they asked these sweet things and do you know what Olivia chose? A goat!  A goat?  How was I going to make that?  Thankfully they only needed me to make a mask.  A.goat.mask.

So we loaded up Thursday night and headed back to school.  Addison was so excited...


She made sure to get a front row seat...


to see our goat...


What a great night....a first for Olivia and many more to come...


Friday I slept in, until 6:14am and well, I just know it was a another day of busyness... but Saturday was exceptional...

Our first Upward soccer game!  We have played city soccer, but when the other team's coach has a husband that gets thrown out and the kids are 4/5 I thought we needed a change of pace.  WOW!  What a difference.  The focus is in all the right places for kids of this age and we had a blast.


Every child gets to be player of the week and this week it was Olivia!


She got down to business...


And scored several goals...


We raced home so I could put my feet up and eat bon-bons (in my dreams people).  We got everyone changed, let Allye catch a nap and we were back in the car to Nate's work picnic.

It was a beautiful day and the girls loved their time at the park.



And Allye...well, this just about sums up how we all felt that night...


She can sleep anywhere, just like her namesake.  If I had only known that the names we gave would convey with characteristics of the namesake...

There you have it...this is just a taste of our everyday life...a wonderful life...that I wouldn't change a bit!


Thursday, April 19, 2012

The Daddy Diary

Sometimes awesomeness happens when you least expect it.  Can't wait to show you what I mean.  Let me explain...  When I informed Man that I would be needing to have a bridal shower for my bestie sometime before June, he said, "Ok."  He did not process this.  He did not stop to think what I was really telling him.  No, that was not the awesomeness, although some of you think so ;)  That is his regular, nice, giving, self.  Then I gently pointed out that he would have three kids to care for...he said, "Ok."  So then I pointed out that that meant he would have to feed them, fix their hair, bathe them, do school pick-ups, feed them, referee arguments, etc...etc.... for three days.  He paused, looked up at me and said, "Ok."  Ok, so maybe I was the one with the doubts here.  The final arrangement (for my sanity) was for me to take Olivia with me.


She is the flower girl after-all!  This was like an official duty, although the school would not agree with me on that.  They did get a good laugh though at my very best effort for an excuse.

So at exactly 10:00 am, last Friday, Olivia and I drove out of her school's driveway... and we were off... and it was like a non-stop scheduled race drive to Dallas.  Only two hours, only two girls, for a 1:30 flight.  What could go wrong?  I'll give you two guesses and the first one doesn't count.  A yes, the potty break.  Twice!  And race fan traffic, and Dallas highway construction...you get the point.  BUT, thanks to $19/day parking, we were on time...even early enough to inhale some food...


Flower girl doesn't quite understand the concept of inhale so she finished on the plane.  Yes, she was that person.  Brings hot food on the plane and enjoys every bite in your face.

A quick check of my phone and I could tell things were going just fine for Man and babes.  

And the Daddy Diary began.


Out to lunch... (I am like...How big is that drink?)  BUT, I don't write that back.  Aren't you proud?

He even has his camo princess at the wheel...


Headed to buy diapers...(I am like...She only needs the paci for naps.) Nope, didn't write that either.  Yep, I know.

Good and secure with all my babes now Olivia and I were off and well, she doesn't quite need me like she used too.


Just a Leap Pad, Smartphone, or any other electronic device that I own or have bought and have no idea how to use.  Now, I am thinking I made the right choice here.  I am quietly reading my book.  Yahoo!

While far, far away, Man has the kids bathed before dinner???


Yep, that was my stepping off the plane text.  (I am like...A yes, he is catching on.)  Nope, kept my mouth shut.  I was enjoying this.

Olivia and I met Meme at the airport and she rushed us to food and a bed...we had a big day ahead!

Little did I know, so did Man.

So, any time that I am away...five minutes, fifteen minutes, one day, or two days and 10 hours, I give Man the run-down.  I say things like, "Have fun with them. You could take them and do (x).  How about you do this?  Give them this to eat.  Don't let them have this to eat.  Be fun. etc...etc...etc..."  I am sure it is annoying but I am really trying to help.  Maybe it is a Mom thing.  Do you do this?  This is quite the shortened version of this trip's list, I must be honest here.

So, when I got this...


I got giddy.  'Cause Man doesn't usually leave the house with two girls all alone...

Especially to go do this...


(I am like....Oh, he put the cute hat on her....*side thought to the side thought***Must have needed to cover up the hairdo.  What good thinking.)  Nope, not yet.


What a cutey!  (And he is taking pictures!!!) Uh huh.  Nope.


(I am like...What a second...are those her pajamas?)  Nope...what good would it do?


Oh, love this...love that she looks so happy.  (That hair.  Where is that hat?)


My melting heart...he even let her play games!  (I could have sworn he had that hair in a ponytail.  What did he use to hold it back?  *note to self****Give another hair lesson.)


Oh my!  Where did Man go?  He would never let this happen!  The whole bag in her lap?  While he wasn't watching?   (Yep, found the hat 'cause he didn't want to wash that out of her hair tonight.  Smart man.)

All the while we were doing bridal shower things...watching Olivia eat chocolate cake...opening bridal presents...watching Olivia eat lemon cake...meeting bride's friends....watching Olivia eat cheesecake with chocolate topping...leaving bestie bride with lots of new goodies....watching Olivia SWIM!


Meme got "Meme of the Year" for finding us a place with a pool.  Mom here, got "Mom of the Year" for taking a swimsuit not knowing if there was a pool.  Love.when.this.happens.

So I awoke the next day...travel day again.  Was ushered straight to the airport and got to Houston with no problem.  However...if you know anything about Texas it is that weather appears out of nowhere.  Serious.  So, we sat in the Houston airport for many, many hours.  Then it happened.  Man texts me and says, "Realtor coming to show house.  Headed out."  Really?  Poor Man.  

Then I get this.


He.is.a.genius.  Yes!  He found the kites the girls just bought and took them to the soccer fields to fly them.  We are never lacking wind people.  (Is that lime green pants with a teal shirt?  Does he realize they don't "go together?")  No way.  I wouldn't go there if my life depended on it.

Then I get a text that says, "Ok.  That lasted 5 minutes.  Going to the park."

Then it happens.  Man's worst nightmare.  My favorite middle child gets hurt.  In.his.care.  So he fesses up.  And quick.  "Had a little accident at the park.  Everything is ok."  


(Ah yes.  He has learned the key to fix boo-boos.)

A few minutes later...

"We were just getting warmed up for dinner."


"She is fine now.  Don't worry."  
(I am going to worry 'til I check her out with my own two hands. Does he know me?  Have we met?)

And when I landed in Dallas two and a half hours late.  I am welcomed with this.


Yep.  Two perfectly healthy baby girls that are ready for bed...happy, healthy, perfection.  

(And I am like...yep, that is MY Man.)

And folks, in my book, this is what awesomeness looks like.






Monday, April 16, 2012

Easter at the Bouchards...Yes...I know I am Late

So, let's start with why this post is late, late, late....Nate has been putting the whip to me here at home to get this house on the market.  Then I put the whip to him to help get it ready....Then he was sorry (several times) that he even suggested putting the house on the market but we got a great result...and...we are still married!  Here is the link so that you can see just how much work we have done.  No people, our house doesn't normally look like this.  It normally looks, well, lived in...  :)


So, we didn't forget Easter, I assure you.  We actually had a great week of fun!

There was a little "madness" when Addison asked me what I made for her to wear to school for Easter.  I told her it was a surprise.  She didn't know it was going to be a surprise for me too, since I had not made anything....mind you, this was the night before her last day of school before Easter.  I was busy getting teacher gifts ready.  And...I must say they turned out too cute....


and when they opened them...a nest of eggs!


BUT...I am Mom, hear me roar....I ran to her closet...thankful there was a Spring colored (former St. Patrick's Day) dress I had made for Olivia.  I ripped off the blue ribbons, sewed on some pink ones, and appliqued this cute little bunny on.  Voila!  All at 11:55:45 pm the night before.  Of course.


The next day we visited Olivia's school for her egg hunt.  We arrived early to help "hide" the eggs... 


and try out the big kid stuff...


and watch them go crazy...




Thank you Meme for the long legs!  They always come in handy!

Then while I was at Walmart (for the 6am weekly buying trip) I got this...


Man did this...without any prompting or micro-managing....Can you believe it?  I am so proud!  I think I will keep him!

How could we skip egg dying?  Well, we couldn't...  So we did it.  It took all the nerve I had...


See, even Allye looks worried.

We snuggled in that night and the next morning...he came!  That was the announcement we got followed by a mad dash to the baskets, followed by me yelling firmly shoving Man into the den to get a grip on them so I could get the eyelash curler off my face...


Allye joined us a little later...I can't believe it...time is flying...


And our bunny always leaves a trail of eggs that start inside and are hidden in our yard.  




We even caught him watching us this year!


He understands the importance of camouflage while visiting our yard...

We paused for lunch...


Then headed out to one of the BEST things about Texas....


The Bluebonnets!




 And this day was extra special in our home because it meant Allye was exactly 6 months old.  What a joy she is to us!  She has braved the terrains of many new foods, powered through long days of running errands, persistently rolled to get where she wants to go, learned to sleep through "You are not my sister any more." being yelled within mere feet of her door, smiled at all of our silliness, laughed at her sisters dancing, kicked her legs with a fierceness that says she means business when it comes to her bottle, sat up to play her piano, and has the cutest beginners crawl ever...on all fours, rocks, moves one hand, the other hand, one leg, the next leg, and splat.  Over.and.over.and.over. 


Our sweet Allye is 16 lbs. 11 oz. and 25 and 3/4 inches long.  She is the perfect gift.

Enjoy a few more pictures from our day...I couldn't not show you these!





Apparently this picture taking business is hard work!  

Love to you all! ~ Mama Bouchard
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